Japan offers two distinct categories depending on your current experience and career goals.
SSW (i) – Start Your Career
SSW (ii) – Advance Your Career
Allows qualified foreign workers to work in designated industries for up to five years. Perfect for entering Japan, gaining professional experience, and improving language skills.
Designed for workers with higher-level skills in eligible fields. Offers renewable residence status without an upper time limit and potential family sponsorship eligibility.
Your SSW Career Journey
Learn & Test
Secure Job & Enter
Work & Grow
Advance Status
Study Japanese language and pass both the language test and field-specific skills assessment.
Connect with Japanese employers, secure an SSW job offer, and complete entry procedures.
Gain practical workplace experience, improve your Japanese fluency, and refine technical skills.
Upgrade professional qualifications and transition to SSW (ii) for long-term career growth in Japan.
SSW Fields Supported
Japan Connect Hub assists candidates across key designated economic sectors.
Nursing Care
Hospitality & Food
Transportation
Manufacturing & Construction
Supporting individuals who require care and assistance in daily life facilities.
Opportunities in hotels, accommodation, guest services, and restaurant operations.
Eligible driving and logistics positions under automobile transportation.
Industrial production, construction, and key infrastructure sector activities.
Japan Connect Hub supports candidates throughout their SSW journey—from career counselling and Japanese language preparation to skills-test guidance, job matching, application assistance, pre-departure preparation, and post-arrival career guidance in Japan.
Career & Language Prep
Skills-Test Guidance
Job & Employer Support
Tailored career counselling aligned with individual aspirations, combined with intensive Japanese language preparation designed to pass required language proficiency tests.
Targeted guidance and study materials for technical skills assessments across designated SSW industry sectors to ensure confident test preparation.
Direct connection and matching services with verified Japanese employers offering genuine SSW positions, interview preparation, and placement support.
Visa & Documentation
Pre-Departure Readiness
Post-Arrival Career Growth
End-to-end assistance with document compilation, verification, and official visa application processes to guarantee compliance and ease paperwork burdens.
Practical orientations covering relocation logistics, living in Japan, workplace culture, travel arrangements, and essential administrative checklists before takeoff.
Continued guidance after arriving in Japan to help candidates refine professional language skills, adapt seamlessly, and build sustainable long-term careers.
Follow our structured six-step roadmap designed to support you from initial language preparation through professional advancement and long-term residency in Japan.
Prepare
Qualify
Work in Japan
Master essential Japanese language skills and complete practical industry-specific training tailored to meet official Specified Skilled Worker standards before applying.
Pass the mandatory SSW technical skills evaluation exam and Japanese language proficiency test (JLPT N4 or JFT-Basic) to verify your workplace readiness.
Receive direct employer matching, finalize your official visa sponsorship documentation, and launch your professional career with vetted Japanese companies.
Gain Experience
Upgrade Skills
Progress Your Career
Develop specialized practical experience on the job while adapting to Japanese workplace practices and earning competitive local industry wages.
Expand your technical qualifications through ongoing employer-supported advanced training modules and higher-level industry certification courses.
Advance to SSW Category 2 status for renewable long-term residence permits, supervisory role qualifications, and family sponsorship eligibility.
Gain Japanese language fluency, technical skills, and valuable workplace experience to build a meaningful, long-term career in Japan.